The calling to create can be stunted so long as you are sitting inside an invisible box that has boundaries of unworthiness –

The Tattered Box of Unworthiness that hems you in and you can’t see.

it is very difficult to believe in yourself enough to take up that brush or pen. The older you get, the more responsibilities you have, the harder it is, yet again.

You see, the minute you acknowledge that you are a creative being, is the minute that you start down the road of – society, religions, families and tribes perceiving you to be selfish because you can no longer be devoted solely to them. And you know what – creativity is a selfish pursuit. IT IS!!

However, stop a moment and consider this…. what is selfishness? Is it a bad thing, and what is the difference between that and self-worth. Are they mutually exclusive or inclusive?

You know most of us have grown up with the idea that putting yourself first is a bad thing, it is wrong and even worse it is soul damaging. This immediately creates all kinds of emotional problems for the aspiring artist within you.

Enter – Stumbling Block Number One!…. by its very nature the creative process is often a solitary one. We need time to be alone, to process and allow interaction with our muse.

Finding Inspiration

Now to follow this path, I am immediately forced into a decision that will take me away from the twin distraction demons of Family and Friends. You ask your self if you are being selfish by leaving your partner to mind the kids while you spend an hour in the studio. However, also ask your self, if you are not being selfish, by refusing to develop your unique talents and gifts, that, I might add, no one – ie NO ONE else in the world has. You are unique. What right do you have to deny the world the opportunity to experience the creations that no one else can make?

This of course creates another whole set of questions, feelings and problems which I will discuss in the next post.

This Week’s Question: What is your invisible box, that is hindering your creativity?